by JustinHammond » Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:45 pm
This is the reply from a friend of mine who lives on Oahu.
Oahu Restaurants (Honolulu, Waikiki, North Shore, Kailua)
Restaurants In Honolulu: Shokudo( best Japanese/sushi/ honey bread dessert)
Nico's at the pier (fish is caught that day and brought into restaurant)
Ono Hawaiian Foods (super local, cash only)
Michele's At The Colony Surf (probably the most beautiful dining spot in
Hawaii, expensive) and Side Street Inn (local food, cheap, popular with the locals)
Tae's Teppanyaki ( very simple menu, very good! Won't find anything like it again)
Wahoo's Fish Taco's ( at Ward Center- pretty good cheap tacos)
*Off the beaten path....la Mariana at 50 Sand Island Access Road Honolulu, it's in the middle of the cargo shipping area, looks kinda sketchy but its really a cool place for dinner and local drinks. Fish, steaks, etc. moderately priced very different environment.
In Waikiki: Hy's Steakhouse, MAC 24/7(breakfast..HUGE pancakes!!!!), Roy's,
Shorebird Restaurant, House Without A Key, Yard House, RumFire (really cool for
Going out at night for a drink/snacks), Gyu-kako Japanese BBQ
Cocktails in Waikiki: pretty much anywhere but the Sheraton pool bar has a really cool shaved ice that they make with alcohol...really unique also RumFire is nice at night to sit outside, Hilton Hawaiian has some nice outdoor bars, and Dukes.
In Kailua: Buzz's Steakhouse, Lanikai Juice, Formaggio, Cinnamons( breakfast) and
Boots and Kimo's (the best pancakes on the island! A must try and yes, it is worth
the wait..they are quick)-get the macadamia nut/banana pancakes with the sauce!
In North Shore: Any of the shrimp trucks -we like Romy's garlic shrimp.
Haleiwa Eats Thai, Killer Taco's
Hikes on Oahu
Manoa Falls, Koko Crater ( way better than the touristy Diamond Head hike),
Manawilili Falls (can swim in the waterfall at this one), Old Pali Highway hike.
These hikes are all safe and your car will be okay. Some hikes can get you
caught in the mountains in heavy rain and some are in heavy crime areas.
Snorkeling on Oahu
Haunama Bay in Hawaii Kai, Sharks Cove in North Shore
Stand Up Paddle on Oahu
At the stand outside of the Hale Koa hotel (on beach) or in Kailua (can also
kayak in Kailua)
If Big Island: go to Hilo,Volcano National Park ( do the helicopter ride over the lava flow) also great hikes and lava tubes, Kailua-Kona has good restaurants. Also in this area is an amazing place for massage (authentic Hawaiian and a MUST to do if you are on BI...reservations are needed/ not expensive it's called Mamalahoa Massage and Hot Tubs 898-323-2288)
If Maui: do the sunrise in Haleakala. You will need a reservation for the bus to take you up and you will have to wake about 4 am. It's SUPER cold on top of the mountain, so you will need to bring a few covers from your room and the guide should have coats and scarfs to offer you. Maui also has a zip line that is good. Also they have a great pancake hut here called The Gazebo.....so good. I'm not a big fan of Maui so I really don't go over there.
If Kauai: beautiful but not a lot here. Can do the old plantation tubing. It is a old ditch dug out for irrigation, you can google river tubing in Kauai for more info. Also if its the right time of year and you're feeling fit, there is always the Napali Coast....you can hike it or kayak it. Companies offer overnight kayak adventures which I've heard are amazing....I have not done it.